Wire-fencing tool



(No Model.)

J. R. SMITH. WIRE FENCING TOOL.

Patented June 7 W/rA/Essks A TTO/YNE Y S.

NTTED STATES w PATENT @trics;

WIRE-FENCING TOOL SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 665,352,.date'd June '7, 1898.- Application filed December 13, 1897. Serial No. 661,710. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMEs RrroHERsoM SMITH, of J efierson, in the county of Marengo and State of Alabama, have invented a new and Improved Wire-Fencing T001, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention is a tool for manipulating and stretching fencing-wire, by which tool it is possible to readily handle the wire without touching it with ones hands and to stretch invention, and Fig. 4 is a sectional View on the line 4 l of Fig. 2.

The tool has a long stafi or handle 5, which is provided with graduations representing inches and feet, by which may be measured the posts to find the proper positions for the several strands of Wire. The inner end or head of the staff 5 is provided at one edge with a recessed portion 6, in which is secured by bolts '7 a plate 8, provided at the middle of each side with a beveled portion 9 and at its outer end with a hook 10, having parallel walls leading to angularly-disposed walls at the inner portion or mouth of the hook, such walls being formed one on the hook proper and the other on a raised portion 11, forming part of the plate 8 and located centrally thereon.

The edge of the head of the staff or handle 5 that is opposite the edge having the recess 6 is provided with a recess 12, wherein is seated a plate. 13, held by two of the bolts 7 and by two additional bolts 14. A clampingplate 15 overhangs the outer portion of the 'Wardly-flaring spur 19.

plate 13 and is held rigidly to the head of the staff 5 by means of screws 7 passing into the head. The middle side portions 16 of the plate 13 are beveled, and the plate is provided with an arm forming a hook 17, such hook having a recess 18 therein and having an out- The plate 15 is provided with a recess 20, receiving the base of the hook 17, by which the plate 13 and the parts thereof are held rigidly and securely in place.

The tool thus constructed has many uses in assembling Wire fences. The hook 10 pro vides means for handling the barbed wire without danger of lacerating ones hands. The wire may be carried readily about from place to place by binding it between the hook proper, 10, and the rib 11. Then the wire may be stretched by placing it in the hook 17, whereupon the recess 18 serves to hold the wire and to twist the wire so that it will be securely grasped, as Figf'l shows. By means of the graduations on the staif 5 the height of the post may be measured and the wires placed in proper positions.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 7 1. A Wire-fencing tool having a staff, and

two plates rigidly secured to the'head thereof, each plate having a hook thereon, and the hook of one plate having a recess therein oa pable of receiving the wire and of holding the wire to permit stretching the same, the other hook being capable ofreceiving the Wire to handle the wire.

2. A wire-fencing tool having a staff, two plates respectively engaging opposite edges of the staff, each plate having a hook thereon, a clamping-plate overhanging one of the firstnamed plates, and fastening devices passing through the staff and through said plates to securely hold the same. a

3. A wire-fencing tool having a staff, the head of which is provided with a recess, a plate rigidly secured in said recess andhav ing the middle portion of its sides beveled oppositely with reference to each other, and a projection on the plate, the projection forming a hook thereon. 4. A Wire-fencing tool having a staff pro- 5 vided with a recess, a plate secured in said recess, an arm or projection extending from i the plate, the arm or projection forming a hook, and a clamping-plate rigidly secured against the staff and overhanging one end of the first-named plate, the clamping-plate havto ing' a recess receiving the base of said arm or projection.

JAMES RITOI-IERSON SMITH.

\Vitnesses:

J. W. SMITH, JAs. L. NoRED. 

